North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s top candidate for his successor is reportedly his 10-year-old daughter, South Korea’s intelligence agency said on Thursday.
Kim Ju-ae is likely to succeed the North Korean leader when he steps away from power, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) said on Thursday, Yonhap News Agency reported. Details about Ju-ae’s existence have been shrouded in mystery — she was reportedly born in 2013 – but her recent appearances with Kim and her references in North Korean media have given the NIS reason to believe she will eventually take Kim’s place in power.
“Based on analyses of her public activities and the level of the North’s respect toward her since her public appearance, Kim Ju-ae appears to be the most likely successor,” Cho Tae-Yong, the nominee for head of the NIS, said, according to Yonhap.
NEW: North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un starts crying as he begs North Koreans to have more babies.
North Korean birth rates are about to skyrocket
The incident happened at the National Mothers Meeting hosted by the dictator who started dabbing his eyes in an effort to get… pic.twitter.com/F8xg0dZ05J
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 5, 2023
Ju-ae was first publicly seen roughly a year ago alongside Kim at a viewing of a long-range missile launch test, according to Yonhap. She has since appeared at a number of public events, mostly military-related, and she most recently was seen with Kim at North Korea’s New Year’s Eve celebration in Pyongyang on Sunday.
North Korean state media had started referring to Ju-ae as Kim’s “respected” child, according to Yonhap.
“By accompanying her father on major events, she’s like learning kingship and building a human network at a tender age,” Cheong Seong-Chan, an intelligence analyst for the Sejong Institute, told The Associated Press.
The NIS had previously refrained from speculating as to who will take Kim’s place when he steps down, according to The New York Times.
It is unclear when Kim would step away from power, the NYT reported. He is still relatively young, but Cheong told the AP his obesity has become so sizable that it wouldn’t “be surprising even if he collapses tomorrow.”
South Korea’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline, and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- ‘There would be a court process’: UK signals it would arrest Netanyahu if he visits - November 25, 2024
- This country is cracking down on social media speech — and it’s not China or Russia - November 22, 2024
- ‘We already did everything possible’: North Korea gives Trump cold shoulder, signals zero interest in renewing talks - November 22, 2024
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!

